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Envelope Screening Series: 'Black Swan'

November 19, 2010 | 3:30
pm

Many filmmakers have made supernatural horror movies. A smaller group has made films set in the ballet world. But very few directors have tried both at the same time.

That's the cinematic challenge undertaken by Darren Aronofsky in his new film "Black Swan." Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) is a talented ballet dancer preparing for a starring turn in "Swan Lake," under the thumb of her reproachful mother (Barbara Hershey). Lily (Mila Kunis) is Nina's free-spirited rival -- or is she simply a manifestation of Nina's subconscious? Aronofsky creates a Gothic mood piece that's equal part character study, baroque scarefest and graceful dance movie.

The director and his cast sat down to talk about their experience making the movie (a choice moment not seen in the video had Portman admitting, to laughter from the audience, that she "wasn't aware" she was making a horror film while she was shooting it). Check out this video for more thoughts from Aronofsky and his actors on their genre-bending fall picture.